“To be of service, lead by example and create ethical and inclusive pathways for success” are Feli’s trademarks as a coach and mentor.
Prior to her retirement in January 2009, Feli served as assistant deputy commissioner for human resources and deputy chief human capital officer of the Social Security Administration. She joined SSA upon graduation from the College of Mount St. Vincent. Her career began in New York City, moving rapidly into managerial positions and, in 1991, to the Office of the Commissioner in Baltimore as senior advisor to the principal deputy commissioner. In 1998, as associate commissioner for the Office of Training, she became the first Puerto Rican woman appointed to the Senior Executive Service at SSA. She is the recipient of both a Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive and a Presidential Rank Award of Distinguished Executive.
Feli has served as an executive coach and as a member of the Strategic Advisor to Government Executives with the Partnership for Public Service since 2009. She also serves as a facilitator and an instructor on leadership for government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Feli works with a wide range of leaders, including executives in federal and local government as well as in the nonprofit and academic sectors. Clients value her experience as she has often been the first Hispanic woman to achieve, lead and succeed in various roles.
She honors the dictum “to whom much is given, much will be required.”
Experience
Stellar career with the Social Security Administration, from entry-level to regional and national leadership in operations, human capital investment and best-in-class leadership programs
2003 and 2004: Presidential Rank Awardee of Meritorious Executive and Presidential Rank Awardee of Distinguished Executive Service with Hispanic-serving institutions to develop and implement leadership and mentorship programs
Community leadership 2014 induction to the Howard County, Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame 2016 and 2020 gubernatorial appointments and ongoing service on the board of trustees at Howard Community College, a Baldridge Performance Excellence
Award recipient 2021 and ongoing service on the Executive Board, Maryland Association of Community Colleges 2008 and 2021 selection to the Top 100 Women in Maryland
2023 National Trustee of the Year Award, American Association for Women in Community Colleges
Education, Training and Certifications
- Bachelor of Arts, College of Mt. St. Vincent, Riverdale, NY
- Federal Executive Institute, Leadership for a Democratic Society EQ-I Certification SDI L1 Certification